If you are one of my regular readers, you know I’ve been taking two on-line Real Estate classes at Austin City College.
While that has been a great educational experience, for me, it has been taking just a little too long to get the pre-requisites completed for my Real Estate license. Yes there are some significant requirements to be an agent in Texas, and rightfully so, but I’ve learned the process can go much faster, and cost less if you do a little bit of research.
I’m really glad I took the two classes at ACC – the 120 hour Real Estate Principles class, and the Law of Agency class. I’m especially glad that I did it on-line. I’ve never had an online class before, and this was a great way to learn how to learn without being in a classroom.
One thing about distance learning classes, the kind where you stay at home and use your computer to take classes on the internet. You need to be really motivated, and have a lot of internal drive to set aside the time to read, study, and do the assignments. It’s not for everybody. I’m a self-starter, and like to see things through to the end, so for me, it was a natural fit. But I can see that it isn’t for everybody.
Those first two classes took a full semester – almost 3 1/2 months to complete. That’s great if you have lots of other projects going on and need to fit studying into your calendar. But there is a faster and more efficient way.
For me, I want to get my license NOW!
I’ve written about the different Real Estate Schools in Austin, and after doing a bit of research decided to take my last two classes at the Champion School of Real Estate.
I’ve just finished my fist class – the potentially boring Law of Contracts requirement, and it was super easy, super fast, and fun.
The instructor has tons of experience, is very knowledgeable on the subject, and has a great sense of humor.
The best thing was the cost – It was actually less than taking the same classes at ACC – especially when you consider parking, and books and supplies (all of which are given to you at Champion school).
There was only one weird thing – As you know I’m pretty tech saavy. I don’t really use a notebook or pens much anymore. Instead I like to keep my office paper free, and note-take on a laptop. For years I’ve used the iWork suite of products – Pages, Numbers, Keynote,& iPhoto because they work seamlessly with my clients and across the web, and they allow me, somebody who is designed challenged to make good looking graphs, flyers, and pictures.
I have tons of notes in Pages, organized into folders, cross-referenced, and linked to presentations, and spreadsheets. I can do it from my Macbook Pro, my iMac Desktop, and even my iPad, and iPhone. And all the docs sync and update whenever I make a change. I always have access to whatever I need for research, and marketing.
Plus I had just finished taking TWO on-line classes, where EVERYTHING was done using a computer.
So I was a bit confused when I walked in with my trusty Macbook Pro, and they wouldn’t let me take notes on my computer!
They said something about it being a TREC regulation that no recording devices could be used in the classroom.
No recording devices? It’s not like I’m bringing in a video camera, tape recorder or attempting to take photos. I just want to type up my notes as I go. Every school these days allows laptops. From kids in 3rd grade to medical school at Stanford. They are commonplace, and everywhere.
Apparently not at the Champion School of Real Estate.
Thankfully I had some of my favorite Papermate Medium Blue Pens
I highly recommend the Champion school of Real Estate - they have schools all over Texas. I never took classes at the other campuses, but the North Austin one is really great.
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